Nike Execs Allegedly Pursued Endorsement for 13-Year-Old and That's Disgusting
By Kevin Aquino
A 13-year-old should have to worry about what he's having for dinner and which verbs to study for his Spanish test, not a multi-million dollar endorsement deal.
Text messages between three Nike executives have revealed the company's pursuit of high schoolers including a middle schooler, as well as 2019 NBA first-round picks Zion Williamson and Romeo Langford, according to court materials filed by attorney Michael Avenatti.
Texts among Nike execs show their pursuit of a just turned 13 year old, seventh grade basketball star, with @YahooForde and @PeteThamel https://t.co/BqB2Fs4pKz
— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) August 20, 2019
Per Yahoo Sports, the 13-year-old mentioned in the investigation is now-15-year-old Emoni Bates, who led his team to a state basketball championship in Michigan. It's one thing to compare Bates to Kevin Durant and call him "the best high school prospect regardless of class," but let the kid live his life, people!
Bates was in seventh grade when the alleged text conversation between the Nike execs took place. Even if scouts firmly believe that Bates has a bright NBA future ahead of him, there has to be a line drawn somewhere.
New exhibits released by @MichaelAvenatti in his motion to dismiss the government’s case against him for extortion of Nike has texts between Nike execs on the possible payments to Romeo Langford & Zion Williamson. Langford went to adidas, refers to him going to Indiana. pic.twitter.com/lswkNuz9ha
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 16, 2019
Of course, Nike didn't technically strike out on Zion Williamson, who signed with their wholly-owned Jordan Brand earlier this summer. There's no word on whether this investigation or his shoes exploding influenced his decision to go with the Jumpman instead of the Swoosh, but recruiting a 13-year-old is despicable nonetheless.